The season-opening Nextra Energy 250 will kick off the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. It will be the first race with a sponsor other than Craftsman since the series inception in 1995.

For Chad McCumbee, the race will mark a reunion with SS Green Light Racing. The 24-year-old drove for the team in 31 races in 2006 and 2007. The team has gone through a major rebuilding since that time and has high hopes for a strong 2009.

Up until a few years ago, the only time I ever ate eggplant was when I went to a local restaurant and ordered “Eggplant Parmesan” smothered in a rich, marinara sauce.

Then I started seeing many different varieties showing up in our local farmers’ markets and decided to investigate other uses for this deep purple tuber, varying in size from large globes to long, thin, zucchini-like shapes.

Spring is coming around the corner. I have made statements in the past calling for gardeners to be patient. I am about ready to cut you loose and let you go full steam ahead with your gardening activities, but let’s not go overboard.

There are still cold days ahead and winter may not truly be over until mid-April. The last frost-free date is around April 20 for much of this area. That can vary by a couple of days either way depending on where you are in the county.

Leland Police officers investigated the following incidents and charged the following suspects Jan. 28- Feb. 9. All information is taken directly from patrol activity reports.

•Police responded to an attempt to locate called in by Wilmington Police to the Brunswick County 911 Center. The vehicle was located and police contacted the victim, who had the car towed for vehicle recovery.

•During a routine traffic stop on U.S. 74-76, Bobby Mack Eldridge, 66, of 3839 Old Maco Road, Leland, was charged with driving while impaired and driving while license revoked.